Hormones produced by the thyroid gland — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — have an enormous impact on your health, affecting all aspects of your metabolism. They maintain the rate at which your body uses fats and carbohydrates, help control your body temperature, influence your heart rate, and help regulate the production of proteins.

Hypothyroidism is a condition where your thyroid is under active and fails to produce enough hormones.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

Lethargic feeling/Fatigue

Course hair

Chills

Menstrual cycle changes

Weight gain or bloating

Moodiness

Puffy face

Hoarseness

Constipation

Dry skin

Depression

Thinning of hair

Slowed heart rate

Impaired memory

Muscle aches, tenderness, stiffness

Pain stiffness or swelling in the joints

At first, you may barely notice the symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue and weight gain.  But as your metabolism continues to slow, you may develop more obvious signs and symptoms.

A lot of people who have hypothyroidism will be put on a thyroid replacement such as levothyroxine.  This is one way of getting your TSH levels (thyroid stimulating hormone) under control if you want to go with the modern medicine.  If you don't want to go that route and prefer a more natural approach, then there are things you can do.

Dillisk, is a plant that is grown in Ireland and is also known as, Irish Seaweed.  The purplish plant can be found on the shore of the west coast and in counties such as Sligo.  Every nutrient in the sea is in dillisk, helping with the digestive systems.  Minerals such as Iron, Iodine, and Potassium are all found in this super-food.

Your plant derived iodine comes from dillisk and other foods.  In the United States, iodine is added to our salt, wherein Ireland and other countries it is not.  In order for your body to keep a working thyroid, a person needs iodine.  So adding natural forms of it to your diet, such as dillisk will help keep your iodine levels healthy.

Using dillisk is one example of changing your diet to include iodine.  If you can't get the plant where you're at, then you can purchase plant derived iodine tablets and or liquid online or from your local health food store.  An adult needs 150mg of iodine daily.

Inactivity and lack of exercise:

Exercise and a healthy diet are important for controlling chronic stress and managing hormone-related neurological function. Research shows that people who regularly exercise usually get better sleep, deal with stress better and more often maintain a healthier weight, all of which reduce some of the biggest risk factors and symptoms associated with hypothyroidism.

The Hypothyroidism Diet Plan by -Dr. Josh Axe

Foods to Eat on a Hypothyroidism Diet

Here are the top foods in a hypothyroidism diet to start the healing process:

Wild-caught fish — These provide the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, essential for hormone balance and thyroid function. Balancing the level of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in your hypothyroidism diet can reduce inflammation and support healthy neurological function. Fish such as wild-caught Alaskan salmon, Atlantic mackerel, and Pacific sardines are some of the best sources of omega-3’s to increase neurotransmitter activity and support a healthy mood and immune system. Just be aware of the fish you should never eat and choose the best varieties available.

Coconut oil — This provides medium-chain fatty acids in the form of caprylic acid, lauric acid and capric acid, which support a healthy metabolism, increase energy and fight fatigue. A staple of the hypothyroidism diet, coconut oil is easy to digest, nourishes the digestive system and has antimicrobial, antioxidant and antibacterial properties that suppress inflammation.

The Olive cultivation first appears around 6000 BC in Syria.  To my knowledge, the first olive trees were brought over by Franciscan Missionaries and were planted at nineteen of the twenty-one missions along 600 miles of the California coast in Late 1700 - Early 1800 AD.  After that commercial olive oil production began in California around 1870 AD.

This is a little of the history that brought the olive tree to our American shores.  Since the beginning olives have been used during special ceremonies as well as a general health measure. During baptism in the Christian church, holy oil, which is often olive oil, may be used for anointing. At the Christmas mass, olive oil blessed by the bishop, "chrism", is used in the ceremony. Like the grape, the Christian missionaries brought the olive tree with them to California for food but also for ceremonial use. Olive oil was used to anoint the early kings of the Greeks and Jews. The Greeks anointed winning athletes. Olive oil has also been used to anoint the dead in many cultures.

Today we use the passionate olive for the same things but have really focused on the health part of it and the uses to the outside and the inside of the body.  They used it in the same way back then, but now we have the advantage of really seeing what the passionate olive can do because of technology.

For instance, olive oil has been found to reduce cholesterol, prevent cardiac disease, ease the pain of arthritis, and soothe intestinal disorders.  In addition, ingesting in food or taking it by spoonful or glass is thought to slow down the aging process because of vitamins A, D, K, and E which are found in it.  Olive oil also has Omega-3 and Omega-6.

Here is a piece from Julianne, a registered nurse, and nutritionist explaining Omega:

"Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids are 2 different classes of polyunsaturated fats. They are both important because they are made into powerful regulatory hormones. Omega 6 fats are primarily converted into a range of pro-inflammatory hormones and omega 3 into anti-inflammatory hormones. Perhaps it would help to think of the analogy of hot and cold taps. Hot being omega 6 and cold being omega 3. We need a balance of hot and cold to get the right temperature. Due to the abundance of omega 6 in our diets from chemically extracted vegetable oils and a lack of food sources of omega 3 like cold water fish and grass-fed / wild meat we have an imbalance. An ideal ratio is 4:1 up to 1:1 of omega 6 to omega 3. This is a long way from the standard American diet which gives 20:1. Imagine the hot tap (inflammation) on full and the cold tap (anti-inflammation) on a dribble. Inflammation is rampant."

Added to the list of olive oil, are the benefits it gives to your skin.  In Italy they say, "pelle di luna," meaning, "Skin like the moon."  Because of the amazing benefits, you receive from taking olive oil your complexion, appearance and the texture of your skin is illuminated. Again "Skin like the moon."  I take 2 Tbls of olive oil per day and can tell the difference it makes in my skin.

That's all on the inside.  Let's talk about some ways to use it externally.  I use olive oil to make my home-made soaps, as a makeup remover, hair treatment, Oil Pulling: For Whiter Teeth, as a treatment for Earaches  and in my body butter.

There are so many ways to use the passionate olive and we have barely touched the surface of a few.  That being said, I promise to post more articles giving more attention and specifics to each one of these ways.  For now, I encourage you to start using and or taking olive oil daily.  You know it's good for you, so why wait?  If you click on the links above they will give you a good start on different ways you can use the passionate olive.

We are extremely fortunate in this country to purchase olive oil as we do.  I can't imagine not having it be a part of my routine and di...

What are Crandall Currants?

In the spring Crandall is a massive array of yellow trumpet-shaped flowers. A striking ornamental currant found in the best gardens in Europe. Swallowtail butterflies flock to the blooms. Also called Clove Currant and Missouri Currant. The unique taste of the shiny black fruit is pleasant, sweet with a touch of tart.  Space 5' circle. Zones 4-7.

This disease resistant, easy to grow crandall currant is a must for homesteaders and people who are into preserving foods.  The berry itself looks like a blueberry and can grow to be just as large.  I own several bushes and confess it's my favorite among my edible fruits.   Reading through the list below you can see why.  The crandall currant pretty much adapts to any soil or climate and is a joy to eat right from the bush.  We live in zone 3-4 and have had no trouble with the bushes freezing.

Pest Resistance

Excellent

Disease Resistance

Very Good

Drought Tolerance

Very Good

Heat Tolerance

Good

Humidity Tolerance

Good

Sun Tolerance

Good

Wet Soil Tolerance

Fair

Shade Tolerance

Excellent

No Spray

Excellent

Salt Tolerance

Poor

Fresh for Kids

Excellent

Deer Resistance

Good

Thorns

No

Plant Type

Shrub

Soil Type

Adaptable

Edible Type

Fruit

Self Fertile

Yes

Dried crandall currants are a powerhouse of nutrition. They're low-fat, cholesterol-free and high-protein, with each cup of dried currants containing 5.88 grams of protein. Dried currants are also an excellent source of nutrients that are essential for health, including dietary fiber, copper, manganese, and potassium.

Dietary Fiber

Dietary fiber, also known as roughage or bulk, includes the parts of plant foods your body can't digest or absorb. Unlike other food components, such as fats, proteins or carbohydrates — which your body breaks down and absorbs — fiber isn't digested by your body. Instead, it passes relatively intact through your stomach, small intestine, and colon and out of your body.

A 1-cup serving of dried black currants contains 9.8 grams of dietary fiber.

Copper

Copper is an essential trace mineral necessary for survival. Most of the copper in the body is found in the liver, brain, heart, kidneys and skeletal muscle. Copper helps with the formation of collagen, increases the absorption of iron and plays a role in energy production.

Dried black currants provide 674 micrograms of copper in every cup or about 75 percent of an adult's required daily intake.

Manganese

Manganese is an important trace mineral needed for many vital functions, including nutrient absorption, production of digestive enzymes, bone development and immune-system defenses.

A 1-cup serving of dried black currants has 0.675 milligrams of the mineral manganese. For a man, this amount fulfills nearly 30 percent of his daily manganese requirement. For a woman, a cup of dried black currants supplies 37.5 percent of her manganese RDA.

Potassium

Potassium is one of the seven essential macrominerals, along with calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride, and sulfur.  Its primary functions in the body are regulating fluid balance and controlling the electrical activity of the heart and other muscles.

Dried black currants contain 1,284 milligrams of potassium in every cup.

Recommended potassium by age 

Age (years)

Recommended potassium intake (milligrams a day)
...

Garlic (scientific name Allium Sativum) is a species in the onion genus Allium, which includes onion, leeks, chives, shallots, and Chinese onions. It has a history that spans several thousand years and its origins are from Central Asia and Iran. It’s grown in nearly every corner of the earth and its use is wide-spread due to its strong smell and delicious flavor. However, the primary use of garlic throughout ancient history was not culinary but for its health and medicinal properties. These medicinal properties were known and their usage is well documented by all major ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese.

Hippocrates the ancient Greek physician often called the father of modern western medicine had a famous quote, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food”.  Hippocrates actually prescribed garlic to treat a variety of medical conditions. Modern medicine and medical studies have confirmed many of the beneficial health effects.

     When eaten raw, it has a powerful, pungent flavor to match it's truly mighty medicinal benefits. Garlic is particularly high in certain sulfur compounds that are responsible for its scent and taste, as well as its very positive effects on human health. This compound is known as Allicin. We know that Allicin is released when the garlic clove is chopped, crushed, or chewed. A 1 ounce (28 grams) serving of garlic contains:

Manganese:    23% of the RDA

Vitamin B6:     17% of the RDA

Vitamin C:       15% of the RDA

Selenium:          6% of the RDA

Fiber:               .06% of the RDA

Garlic also contains trace amounts of various other nutrients such as copper, potassium, phosphorus, calcium iron and vitamin B1. In fact, it contains a little bit of almost everything we need. This, at 42 calories, with 1.8 grams of protein and 9 grams of carbs.

The entire head of the garlic plant is called the bulb, while each segment is called a clove. There are 10-20 cloves per bulb.  Garlic is low in calories and very rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Manganese. It also has trace amounts of various other nutrients.   Calorie for calorie, garlic is incredibly nutritious.

Garlic benefits rank second only to turmeric benefits in the amount of research backing this superfood. To date, there have been over 5100 peer-reviewed articles that evaluate garlic's ability to prevent and improve a wide array of diseases. Let's now look at some of the major medicinal benefits of garlic.

 

Garlic for Heart Disease

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States, followed by cancer. Garlic has been widely recognized as both a preventative agent and treatment of many cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This includes atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis, hypertension, and diabetes. A scientific review of experimental and clinical studies of garlic benefits found that, overall, consumption has significant cardioprotective effects in both animal and human studies. The most amazing characteristic is that it’s been shown to reverse early heart disease by reversing plaque buildup in arteries.

 

Garlic for Cancer

Allium vegetables, especially garlic and onions, and their bioactive sulfur compounds are believed to have effects at each stage of cancer formation and affect many biological processes that modify cancer risk. In the words of the NIH National Cancer Institute, “Several population studies show an association between increased intake of garlic and reduced risk of certain cancers. This includes cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breast.”

 

Garlic for High Blood Pressure

Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the most used products of old and new.  How amazing it is to know and understand the uses and affects it has on the human body.

Apple Cider Vinegar is a fermented juice made from crushed apples.  It contains vitamin C, B1, B2, and B6; Folic acid, acetic acid, and citric acid.  There are also small amounts of minerals.

The benefits of vitamin C may include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling.

Vitamin B1, also called thiamine or thiamin, is one of 8 B vitamins. All B vitamins help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which the body uses to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B-complex vitamins, also help the body metabolize fats and protein. B-complex vitamins are needed for a healthy liver, skin, hair, and eyes. They also help the nervous system function properly and are needed for good brain function.  All B vitamins are water-soluble, meaning that the body does not store them.

Folic acid (also a vitamin B) acts by helping the body produce and maintain new cells. In particular, red blood cell formation is dependent upon adequate levels of this vitamin. Folic acid deficiency is a known cause of anemia in both adults and children. Folate may also help cells resist changes in their DNA associated with the development of cancer.

Now that we know what makes it beneficial, let's dive into how we can use it to gain those benefits.

1. TONER FOR THE SKIN

I don't like using products where the list of ingredients takes half the bottle to name.  After I ran out of my toner I decided to try Apple Cider Vinegar.  As a person who has deep pours I wanted something that would clean my face without using harmful ingredients and also something that would not dry out my skin.

I bought a small glass bottle, cotton pads and then applied the cider to my face after washing. Not only did my pores shrink, but any unwanted zits cleared up.  You will smell the vinegar, but only for a few minutes and is a much healthier choice.

2. HELPS WITH CRAVINGS

For a snack or when I'm craving something sweet, I make Good Girl Moonshine.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (1-2 Tbsp; preferably one "with the mother")

1 tsp ginger (ground)

2 doonks Pure Stevia Extract Powder

 Ice cubes

 Water (enough to fill the quart jar)

 Flavorings or extracts (optional) I like to add a few drops of lemon oil.

Recipe by Trim Healthy Mama

This not only helps with food cravings but it's a much wiser choice for your body.  Others take just 1 Tbsp before a meal to help with cravings and to curb their appetite.

3. GETS RID OF BUILD UP IN THE HAIR

Vinegar is known to break up all kinds of grime, calcium, and scale, so build up in the hair is no problem for this all-purpose golden liquid. While you're in the shower, and after you've washed with shampoo, pour a little cider on the top of your head and massage as it drips down the sides.  You will feel the tingle as it starts to do its job.  If you need a little more on the rest of your hair to give back its shine, then just take your bottle and pour another round being sure to scrunch your hair at the bottom collecting the vinegar.  Rinse and you're finished.

4. DETOXES THE BODY

Vinegar is a natural detox.  It cleanses the inside like it does the outside breaking up garbage that likes to stick around in the intestines and other places.  Having a spoonful or two in a glass with warm water and honey is a great way to keep the insides clean on a daily basis.

Now I could go on and on with what vinegar can do for you, but it would be easier to simply say.  Vinegar comes from something pure and natural and I can't see replacing it wit...

Mustard has been used for thousands of years and was so highly thought of that King Louis the XI took it with him where ever he went.  Also, the Egyptian pharaohs had mustard seeds stocked in their tombs reserved for their afterlife.

To this day it is still highly popular and is almost in every household in America.

It did not take long for people to realize that you could grind the seeds and make a paste.  Using it to then spread on food and, for poultices or as an ointment to relieve body aches, toothaches and many other ailments.

To make a paste the mustard seed was ground, then water, vinegar or wine was added.  The French Monks used "must", or unfermented wine which is where the name "Mustard" came from.  It stems from the Latin mustum ardens (roughly meaning "burning wine.")

There are many different types of mustard from different places around the world.  Dijon from France, America's golden Yellow, and Lowensenf extra hot mustard from German to name a few.

The true color of mustard ranges from light yellow to a dark brown.  The brilliant yellow we see in the bottles actually gets its color by adding turmeric  Turmeric for your Health .  Both mustard and turmeric are extremely beneficial to a person.  Whether you serve them in your food or by using them in poultices or pastes.

By adding these tasteful spices you will be adding health and flavor to your life.  Listed below are a few of the long list of benefits your body will receive.

Turmeric

Cancer preventer

Liver detoxer

Immunity booster

Blood purifier

Mustard

Pain reliever

Good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium

Promotes healthy skin

Cancer preventer

Again the benefits listed are a small portion of all the incredible benefits these rich colored ingredients have.

Start looking for new recipes that use mustard or when reaching for something to add a little flavor reach for golden-yellow.  To get you started I will add a recipe below.

Asparagus Rolls

Preparation Time:  15 mins.   Cooking Time:  Nil.   Total Time: 15 mins     Serves 10. Ingredients

10 fresh bread slices

1/2 tsp mustard powder

2 green chilies, chopped (optional)

10 asparagus pieces (fresh or from a can)

1/3 cup butter (approx.)

little salt

Method

Remove the crust from the slices of bread.

Mix the mustard powder in 1 teaspoon of water. Add this to the butter and mix well.

Roll the bread slices a little. Apply the above butter over the slices.

Sprinkle very little salt and a few green chilies over each slice.

Put a piece of asparagus at the end of each slice. Roll up each slice and tie the rolls with thread.

Put all the rolls in a box and chill in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator for 1 hour.

Remove thread and cut into pieces.

Serve cold.

I am a true believer in taking more Natural approaches to Health.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of taking turmeric for your health.

Let me start by saying that I'm not a doctor.  I have however been using natural type remedies for years and have studied their health benefits in-depth.  Turmeric is rated #1 for spices and natural herbals that have the most effect on a person's health.  Garlic comes in a close 2nd.

For more than 4,000 years, the Asian spice turmeric has been used in cooking and for medicinal purposes. Curcumin, turmeric’s active ingredient, is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, as well as the yellow pigment that gives many curry dishes a golden hue.

Turmeric has so many beneficial qualities to it that I wonder why more people don't use it in their daily lives.  Everything from preventing cancer cells from forming to detoxifying your liver, clearing acne and other skin problems, creating healthy organs, immunity booster, and a blood purifier.

From the first day, I started taking a teaspoon I could feel the difference in my body.

It's been five years now and by taking turmeric every day I have had fewer colds and viruses.  That means fewer visits to the doctor for me and my family.  My body and organs all function at the top of the charts, and doctors are amazed at the overall health, not just in me, but in my whole family.

We all have cancer cells in our body and every one of us has been affected by the ruin cancer brings to our lives.  Whether you have had it yourself, a family member, or someone close to you, the fact is it's everywhere.  Turmeric fights those cancer cells in your body without destroying it.   Believe it or not, this is possible and turmeric does it without you having the side effects.  There are natural ways to treat cancer that are not so harsh on your body.

Here is a quote from the Cancer Treatment Centers of America:

Shana Deneen, ND, FABNO, DiplAc, a naturopathic oncology provider at our hospital in Tulsa, says preliminary lab studies have suggested when curcumin is used in combination with cancer treatment, it may help inhibit the growth of breast, colon and prostate cancer.

“Curcumin may help reduce multiple biochemical pathways that are linked to cancer growth and survival,” explains Aroop Banerji, ND, LAc, FABNO, a naturopathic oncology provider at our hospital in suburban Chicago. “Curcumin may also help reduce chemotherapy resistance, a condition in which chemotherapies lose their effectiveness.”

Even the experts have seen the benefits and can not refuse to point them out.  Although they don't admit you can use turmeric along with other natural remedies for treatment, they can't deny its incredible prevention and treatment of cancer.

Just think, by implementing a small habit into your daily lives, you will be improving your overall health, not just for today and tomorrow, but for your life.  No wonder why in India it's treasured.  Turmeric is truly a priceless gem.

        So why take it?

It's a major player in keeping major organs in your body healthy, such as your Heart, Liver, Stomach to name just a few.

Helps keep everything functioning, even with our not so healthy diets and habits.

A natural cancer preventer and blood purifier.

Helps with skin problems

I could go on and on, but you get a general idea it's beneficial to you and your health.

       How to take it?

A warm cup of goodness

With warm milk

In a smoothie

With coffee

Hot chocolate

Capsules

In food

  In What quantity?

It's recommended that an adult take 1 tsp of ground Ground Turmeric per day with a dash of pepper.  The pepper opens up your capillaries and your body will absor...